Putting Your Home On The Market? Things You Need To Do First…

So, you've decided that you are going to sell your home? Moving home can be an exciting period in anyone’s life. However, it can also be a stressful one as there are so many things you need to do. Before you list your home for sale, be sure you tick the following off your to-do list…

Deal with any repairs

There is only one place to begin, and that is dealing with the repairs your home requires and you've been put off. Everything fromwater pump repairs to repairs to your property’s electrical wiring, you need to deal with it before you put your house on the market. A lot of sellers make the mistake of trying to cover up issues cosmetically, but this will only come back to haunt you when the potential buyer gets a professional inspection carried out. When they discover the issues, they will likely use this as bargaining tool to get money off the property. Deal with issues first to avoid such a scenario and leave your home knowing you did the right thing.

Declutter and depersonalise your home

The next step is to get rid of clutter inside and out. 'Stuff' just masks the true potential of your house. It does more than make your home look messy; it makes it look smaller and difficult for people to imagine living there. Too much personalisation on display can also make it difficult for buyers to envision themselves in in your house. If family photos and mementos are all over your home, consider taking a few down so you can present your property as a bit more of a blank canvas. Same goes for sports memorabilia. Get a head start on packing and get some of that out of eyesight. It's a simple thing, but it's about creating a vision for the best buyer so you get the best price you can to make the move you need to.

Consider curb appeal

An attractive and clean curb appeal is also something that needs to be addressed before you sell your home. It's the first thing your buyers see will and sets the tone for the rest of the house. If your door looks worn and tattered and the flowers in your garden are dying, it doesn't set a very good impression. If the house doesn't architecturally wow them, at least impress them with how easy it would be for them to move in. A bit of weeding, mowing, pressure cleaning and paint can go a very long way. Consider it your final house proud hurrah and a beautiful way to honour the memories you made there.

Take professional photographs and know your market

It is shocking to see how many property listings are completed with terrible photographs even today when our smartphones are awesome cameras in your pocket! From poor lighting to weird camera angles, the issues are varied and a huge turn off. And don't be one of those annoying property listings that only have one photograph attached to them. That's ridiculously leaving way too much to the imagination...and not in a good way. Your photos need to be of a professional standard, and taken with an understanding of who your potential buyer is. Get the shots that evoke the lifestyle that can be enjoyed in the home and emphasise desirable assets like spaciousness, bathtubs, secure garages and backyards, a clean and functional kitchen, en-suites, and any impressive architectural details like entryways, roof-lines, and openings to the outdoors.

These are great starting point for getting your home market and move in ready. Talk to your realtor or adviser for more and do what makes good financial sense with the integrity to create a win-win scenario for both parties.

Have you sold or bought a home before? What worked best, stood out the most, and made the biggest difference for your decision?Let us know in the comments below.x